Means for separating material



F. B. M LAREN MEANS FOR SEPARATING MATERIAL Jan. 24; 1928. 1,657,405

Filed Sept. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M (fi [ATTORNEY Jan. 24, 1928.

- 1,657,405 F. B. M LAREN MEANS FOR SEPARATING MATERIAL Filed Sept. 15, 1922 2 sheets -Sheet 2 INVENTOR #241 A9. 714:1:[4/6/7 ATTORNEY 1 Elli till

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Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED B. MAOLAREN, OF MALBA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T OHEE'IER H. BRASELTON,

0F NEVJ YORK, It. Y.

MEANS FOR SEPAEATING MATERIAL.

Application filed September 15, 1922. Serial No. 588,318.

This invention relates to methods and means for separating materials or for concentrating mixtures of materials having ditterentelectrical or magnetic properties. More particularly, it relates to a method of separating materials having a higher conductivity from those having a lesser conductivity, or to separating materials having a greater magnetic permeability from those having a lesser magnetic permeability, or in the case of materials having the same electrical conductivity to separate those of one size or shape from those of smaller size or different shape.

An object of this invention is therefore to utilize a magnetic held to eilect a separation of material by causing relative ntiovcment between this held an d the material to be separated. An object of this invention is to utilize the force acting on an object or particle of material carrying an electric current when placed in a magnetic field to separate it from objects carrying a lesser current in the same magnetic field A further object of this invcntion is to utilize the variable movement tendency of materials having a higher per: meability from those of a lower permeability when moved with respect to a field of varying intensity and therefore separate these materials. A still further object of this invention is to utilize the property of objects of certain size or shape of having currents 0t diilicrent value and phase relation to the magnetic iield induced in them such that greater tor-cc will be exerted on them than objects of ditliercnt size and shape but of the some electrical conductivity.

Thus, the invention comprises a method and means for separating materials into two or more portions having different conductibility such as different electrical conductivity, ditl'ercut magnetic permeability or a difference in size or shape of the particles comprising the material to be separated.

Various other objects are Within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement of the related elements or the structure, and to various details oi construe tion and to economics ofmanufacturc, and numerous otherteatures as will become apparent from a consideration of thedrawing and related description of a form of the in vention, which may be preferred, in which F' tire 1 is a vertical sectional View of one embodiment of my invci'ition,

Figure 2 is a are l.

T Figure 3 a View showing the space relationship and direction of the current Windings of the dynamo electric machine;

Figure 4t a diagram of the phase 0011- nections oil: the al ernating current;

Figure is a diagram showingthe Wave form of the three phases of the current;

lligurc (i a view illustrating the relationship of the electromagnetic flux induced by a portion oi? the windings traversing adjacent slots; and i Fgure 'i' is a View similar to Figure 6 at a time interval subsequent to the time of Figure 6.

Referring" to these drawings, the numeral t dcs'rnates diagrammatically the generator slumlying the polyphase alternating currents, 2 is the field circuit of the generator and 3 isthe source of direct current for the generator excitation. The Wires l, 5 and 6 carry the current from the generator to a control switch 7, through which the windings 8 are fed.

Fio tu'cs 3 to 7 inclusive, illustrate the action of the current in creating an electromagnetic flux operated to cause a rotation of the magnetic fields circularly about the primary of the apparatus. The principle involved is that of the induction alternating current three phase induction motor and, while this is well. known in the art, a brief representation of the action thereof is thought expedient. Referring to Figure 3, the specific type of three phase winding is disclosed in its spaced relationship as positioned upon the primary of the apparatus corresponding to one of the elements of an induction motor. A three phase current is indicated as employed, the various phases being identified by the letters A, B and (l, and in order to indentiiy the portion of the circuit in Figure 3 with the delta diagram of Figure .1:, (the various sections have been numbered in either figure, the corresponding portion having the same number. This type of: Winding produces the wave form of ab ternating currents illustrated in Figure 5, the various phases being also indicated here by the letters A, B and C.

Considering the instant of time 1, Figure when the phase B is negative and the phases A and C are positive, We may have ti direction of current flow for at given pull section on line 6-6 of Figas illustrated in Figure 6, the upper portion of this figure showing the section through the wires, the crosses indicating outward movement relative to the sheet, and small circles indicating upward movement of the current, this corresponding to the instant 1 of Figure 5. The step wave at the base of Figure 6 is illustrative of the induced electric magnetic efiect brought about by the condition of current for, as indicated at the point 1 in the upper portion of the figure, the center of the induced effect, being a maximum at the point where the direction of current changes. Referring to Figure 7, corresponding to point 2 of Figure 5. it will be seen that the C phase is zero, the B phase still remaining active and the A phase approaching its maximum value. This condition of wave flow results in induction havg a form, as indicated in the lower part of Figure 7, in which the maximum has moved to the left of the maximum of Figure 6. The above considerations bring out the fact that the maximum of induction l moves about the primary of the machine in a circular direction.

' Figure 1 shows one'embodiment oi": a complete machine in elevation, the field being rectilinear-wherein the hopper 13 suitably supported for the unseparated material. This material slides through the opening 50 to the guide plate 51 over which the material falls into the air gap 16 between the laminated iron blocks 52 and These two blocks form with the air gap a complete magnetic circuit, which is excited by the windings 8 and 8. Thematerial, as will hereinafter appear, falling through the air gap 16 is divided into two parts by the ac tion of the magnetic field and these two parts will then fall on opposite sides of the knife edge the material not acted on by the field falling to the right and that acted on falling to the left. Chutes and 56 are to convey the separated materials to the piles 21 and 23. To support the mechanism the vertical timbers 60 and G1 are provided which act as the main support, the hopper or storage bin 18 being mounted on these timbers by angle irons and a cross piece here illustrated. The guide plate 51 is mounted on the cross piece '62 and the angle iron 63.

The laminated iron of the blocks 52 and 53 may be held together by the bolts 121 and 122 t0gether with the ribbed plates 64c, 65, 66 and 67 in the particular illustration. The plates 64 and 65 are mounted on the cross pieces 69 and 70 and held to them by thebolts 71 and 72. The ribs on the plates 66 and 67 act to position the laminated blocks between the supports 60 and 61. The. knife edge '54 is supported on the cross piece 73 and the diagonal pieces 32 and 33 act to stiilenthe apparatus.

The-windings 8 and 8 are connected to the source of polyphase alternating current by the switch and the leads 1-. 3 and (3. The source of current is the alternating current generator 1.

The processes of separating material will now be described. The material used and capable o'l separation ma) be in the form ol particles in a fluid. liquid. or solid state of varying conduclibilitv. that is, particles which either vary in electric coinluctivity, such as gold and quartz or silver and its gangue. or, which vary in magnetic pcrmcubility, such as magtnciic iron oxides or the like and the foreign matter l'ound therewith. The dilficrcnl sizes or shapes ol the same material or oi dillercnt materials having the same conductivity ma be separated.

The material is arranged so that there is a relative movement between the licld and particles to eilcct sclniralion.

When variable electrical conductivity is the contributingfactor in separating. the material, when placed in the air gap, will have an electric current induced in the mm terials. The force caused by the reaction bctwecn the induced current and the licld will cause a movement of the nnu'crials in such a direction that the relative motion between the held and the object will be reduced. The amount ol this force and the resultant motion depends on the strength of the field and the value oi the induced current. The condimtivitv oi the object will determine to a large extent the amount of the induced cu nt, therefore. the amount ol' movement in the direction ncccswanv for separating. Another factor is ihc ratio of the mean breadth of this ()ll lt l'i lo the polc pitch or distance between Hlc 'c.- .l\'c points of equal polarity and intensity. which shoui 5 preferably be kept high l v the use ot short pole-pitches. it will he rcudil) seen that particles ol' similar sire when placed in the gap will lend to move in the direction of the movi g m 1 10i ic i eld with a force which varies with the coinluciivitv of the material of the ohicci. 'lhcz'clorc. particles of high conductivity will he sc 'mra ted from those of lower conduct ivitv because of their greater movement.

hen the magnetic properties oi the materials to be separated are the controlling factor, the particles having :1 hi gh magnetic permeability always move so that the lines of force of the field in which they are placed will become shorter, so that the path of the field will have less reluctance. Thus. materials of the higher magnetic permeability will move into and vith that part of the field having the highest intensity, while materials of lower permeability will not move at all or will move a lesser amount. .l n care of the use of the magnetic properties of the material, the size of the particles is of less importance than in using the electrical conllo lil

ductivity of the material as the controlling factor in separation.

It will thus be seen that I have produced a method of separating materials of different magnetic or electric conductibility by subjecting particles of material to be separated to the action of a magnetic field and causing a relative movement between the field and the particles which may be accomplished by providing a moving magnetic field as for example that produced by a polyphase alternating current 'or by a direct current op erating on a rotating element of the field producing structure or even by rotating a permanent magnet. Again the relative movement may be had by causing the material to move and in which event the magnetic field may be produced by permanent magnetism or by direct current or in these processes a single or polyphase alternating current may also be used, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Operation of H e apparatus.

In Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated an embodiment of the invention in which the fields are located in a straight line and the material being passed to the air gap on one side thereof and falling by gravity there through, will be separated in the following manner. The poles are staggered on opposite sides of the air gap which tends to make the lines of force extend across the same at an angle as indicated in Figure 2. The material having a higher conductivity will therefore tend to move at right angles to these lines of force and will thereby be separated as indicated.

It is apparent that, within the spirit of the invention, modifications and dili'erent arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely; the invention comprel'iending all possible variations.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by United States Letters Patent and claim is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described for separating material, the combination of a plurality of opposed fixed poles windings on said polesadapted to energize the poles; and a source of alternating current connected to said windings, said poles being so posimagnetizable poles placed in two groupsopposite one to the other and separated by an intervening gap; windings wound on said poles; a source of polyphase alternating current connected to said windings and adapted to induce in the gap intermediate said poles, a progressively moving field, said poles being so positioned as to produce magnetic lines of force extending obliquely across said gap; means for supplying granulated particles of matter, some of which contain metallic constitutents to said gap; the field pro duced by the alternating current tending to shift bodily toward one of said pole groi'lps the particles of matter containing metal from the non-metallic particles; and means for collecting said separated particles.

3. In an apparatus for separating particles of matter, some of which contain metal; the combination of opposing fixed groups of poles positioned oppositely to each other and separated by an intervening gap, the poles in one group being staggered in relation to the poles in the other group; means for generating a transversely moving magnetic flux across said gap, the direction of said flux being oblique from one group of poles to the othersuch as to displace toward one of said pole groups particles containing metal from particles free of metal: means for feeding metallic and. non-meta1lic particles to the top of said gap; and means for collecting said particles.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

FRED B. MAGLAREN. 

